Still the man

MONTREAL - On the heels of celebrating his 30th year in the pro ranks, Youppi! has proven he isn’t just an icon and nostalgic memory of baseball in Montreal. Turns out, his friends south of the border are still longing for the former Expos mascot as well.

Cracking Sports Illustrated’s list of the “Top 25 Things we Miss in Baseball”, Youppi! recently found himself in some pretty exclusive MLB company. Of course, legendary moustaches – with Rollie Fingers caliber pushbrooms now gone the way of the dinosaur – made the list at No. 7, joining Youppi! in the Top 25 along with the days when catchers wore baseball caps and relief pitchers rode bullpen carts to the mound.

It is with great pride that the loveable orange hero, who also holds two Mascot World Records, finds himself in the middle of the pack, checking in at No. 10 on SI’s list. In 1989, Youppi! first made history as the first mascot in baseball ever ejected from an MLB game. His second record came after the Expos moved to Washington in 2004, when Youppi! hit the ice as the first mascot to represent two professional sports franchises.

On October 18, 2005, the Canadiens suddenly had one extra player, a sizable addition to their lineup if you will, as Youppi! made his on-ice debut just prior to puck drop against the Bruins that night. He toasted the occasion by scoring a goal in the Bruins’ net before pumping his fist to the crowd, much to their delight. At his tomfoolery best, Youppi! continues to bring the heat when it comes to firing up the crowd at the Bell Centre.